“You know what will make me prouder?” father asks. I know what he is asking of me. I can only give him what he wants. “Killing Sid Alick.” He starts laughing pleasantly, “Yes that’s right. Go finish the job Joan left. And take Sean with you. I will reward you greatly when you come back.” I can only say yes. Plus, this room is making me suffocate so I can’t wait to escape. “Of course, father.” I answer humbly. Before existing the room, I hear that poor girl on his lap weeping under her breath. She isn’t the first one actually. Many girls were called into father’s bedroom during our morning and even greetings. We all know what happened. Yet that never happened to me. Father probably thinks I’m too valuable to him. I have to success. I have to kill Sid Alick nice and clean. Because if I fail…. Father will make sure I die a hundred times more miserable than Joan did.

“…Sylvia was so useless,” Sylvia's mother complained irritably. “Tim’s family was very unhappy right now because of her infertility. I’m afraid they might ask for a divorce.” “They can’t divorce! They’ll pull the fund from our company, and we are screwed!” cried Sylvia's father. “Don’t worry about it, mom and dad. You still have me,” Mila giggled. “I heard Tim’s uncle is a hot billionaire who had even more money than Tim does. He was richest bachelor in town. Tim was a nobody compared to him. I’ll go seduce him. When I successfully land him, we’ll never have to worry about money ever.” “That’s our girl. You are so much better than your sister,” her father said proudly. “And we’ll let Sylvia deal with her own issue. It was her problem she couldn’t get pregnant,” her mom said with a cold voice. Having heard everything by the door, Sylvia’s entire body turned cold.

“Hallie.” He breaks the silence first. My heart sinks instantly. Is he going to talk about Sydney? Is he divorcing me for her? But I’m not ready yet. So I change the subject awkwardly, “What’s your schedule next week? Are we still going to that convention in Portland?” He doesn’t answer. This silence is killing me. My heart aches. A huge downfall is waiting ahead but I’m trying to drag it as long as possible. “Do you think I should wear that necklace to the convention?” I ask in a light tone, “Or is it a bit too high-profile to—” “Hallie,” he cuts me off, determinedly. I stop, nibbling my bottom lip. “Let’s get a divorce,” he says deeply.

“Hey pretty, ” Olaf grabs the curtain from the other end and grins. “Maybe you and I can have a little talk in the locker room after my practice? You know, since messing around is in your family blood?” Seriously? I glare at him, prepared to shoot back. But the door flies open the next second and a tall figure marches in. Before I get a good look at him, a huge jacket is thrown on top of me, covering my wet body and vision. Then I hear a voice growling to Olaf, “That’s your reason to skip training? To harass girls?”

My father lowers his voice mysteriously, “—she can even become a top at your club, earning you a lot more money than 20 million. It’s good investment.” The godfather chuckles lowly, “Selling your own daughter as a mistress to me?” What does this mean? Am I the godfather’s mistress now? Is he going to have me entertain customers today? “Eleanor, is it?” he asks. I murmur a yes in fear. “My name is Theodore Vans. You’ll call me godfather as everyone else.”

I immediately take this chance to cry for help, “Help! Please! Help me—” “Shut your mouth!!” Thomas snarls pulls my hair causing me to wince in pain. “Sir,” the guard's spoke, “If you refuse to stop harassing this lady, I’ll have to call the police.” “Who are you to talk to me like this! I’m your precious customer! Where’s your boss! I demand to see your boss!” “I’m the manager here,” the guard says coolly. “If you are talking about the owner of this nightclub, it’s Mr. Hill. Yet I’m afraid Mr. Hill is too busy to deal with these trifles.” Mr. Thomas gulps down. And when he speaks up again, the rage in his voice magically vanishes and is replaced by a hint of fear, “…M—Mr. Hill?”